A piece of news generated an impact in the NBA. Former player Dikembe Mutombo, part of the Basketball Hall of Fame, died at the age of 58 from brain cancer. The news was confirmed by league commissioner Adam Silver in a statement.

The 2.18 meter giant was born in the Congo and played for 18 seasons in the NBA. During his time in the best basketball league in the world, he stood out for his ability as one of the best defenders in the competition. For this quality he received the Best Defender of the Year award four times (1995, 1997, 1998 and 2001).

Mutombo began his career in college basketball before making the jump to the NBA. His professional debut was with the Denver Nuggetswhere he quickly became noticed for his imposing presence on the field in his first years in the league (1991-1996). After that, he played for teams like the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks y Houston Rockets.

During his career he was selected eight times for the All Star and stood out for being one of the dominant players in the painted zone. His remembered “No” gesture when making a block against an opponent was one of the most remembered movements of NBA fans in the 90s.. His shot-blocking ability made him one of the most feared and respected defensive players in the league.

The former player who had five surnames – his official name was Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo – He performed in an era dominated by the figure of Michael Jordan, but managed to shine with his own light thanks to his defensive skills. His impact on basketball was not limited to his achievements on the court, as he also became known for his philanthropic work and his commitment to humanitarian causes, especially in his native country.

In sports, Dikembe was chosen six times in the NBA defensive team, in addition to being in second place in the historical table of top blockers in the league with a total of 3,289 blocks in his career of almost two decades in the competition. In 2015 he was elected to enter the Basketball Hall of Fame.

It was two years ago, in October 2022 at the age of 56, when a brain tumor was detected. Upon diagnosis, he began to receive the necessary treatment, but this disease caused the death of the man born in the city of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on June 25, 1956. Mutombo became the first NBA Global Ambassador.

In Silver’s statement, the NBA highlighted the value on and off the court that the legend had in his time. “Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life. On the court, he was one of the best shot blockers and defensive players in NBA history. “Off the court, he gave his heart and soul to helping others,” he quoted the first part of the farewell.

“There was no one more qualified than Dikembe to be the NBA’s first Global Ambassador. He was a humanitarian by nature. He loved what basketball could do to have a positive impact on communities, especially in his native Democratic Republic of the Congo and across the African continent. I had the privilege of traveling the world with Dikembe and seeing firsthand how his generosity and compassion uplifted people. “He was always available at NBA events over the years, with his infectious smile, deep, resonant voice and trademark finger movement that endeared him to basketball fans of all generations,” Silver added.

Finally, the NBA commissioner concluded with some heartfelt words. “Dikembe’s indomitable spirit lives on in those he helped and inspired throughout his extraordinary life. I am one of the many people whose lives were touched by Dikembe’s big heart and I will miss him dearly. On behalf of the entire NBA family, I send my deepest condolences to Dikembe’s wife, Rose, and his children; to his many friends and to the global basketball community that he truly loved and that loved him.”